Graphic Design for Casino Affiliates: Creating Visuals That Convert

Good visuals aren't optional. They affect:

• Click-through rates on search results
• Social media engagement
• Article readability
• Brand perception
• Conversion rates

You don't need to be a designer. You need systems for creating adequate visuals consistently.

For basics, see our beginner's guide to casino affiliate marketing.

Essential Graphic Types

Featured Images

Every article needs a featured image. These appear in search results, social shares, and site listings.

Requirements:

• Relevant to content topic
• Readable at small sizes
• Consistent with brand style
• Optimized file size

YouTube Thumbnails

Thumbnails determine whether people click your videos. They're arguably more important than the video itself. See our video production guide for integrating thumbnails into your workflow.

Effective thumbnails:

• High contrast colors
• Readable text (3-5 words max)
• Emotional faces when applicable
• Clear focal point

Social Media Graphics

Different platforms have different optimal sizes:

• Instagram: 1080x1080 (square), 1080x1920 (stories)
• Twitter/X: 1200x675
• Facebook: 1200x630
• Pinterest: 1000x1500

Create templates for each platform you use. For platform-specific strategies, see our guides on Instagram Reels and TikTok content.

Comparison Graphics

Visual comparisons help readers understand differences:

• Casino feature tables
• Commission structure comparisons
• Game selection overviews
• Bonus comparisons

These drive engagement and shares.

Infographics

Visual explanations of complex topics:

• How affiliate programs work
• Understanding house edge
• Crypto deposit flowcharts
• Commission calculation breakdowns

Infographics earn backlinks and social shares.

Tools for Non-Designers

Canva

The go-to tool for non-designers. Browser-based with templates for every format.

Pros: Easy to use, huge template library, free tier is functional Cons: Designs can look generic, advanced features require paid tier

Use for: Social graphics, featured images, simple infographics

Figma

More powerful than Canva with a learning curve. Professional-quality output.

Pros: Precise control, collaboration features, free tier available Cons: Steeper learning curve, more time-intensive

Use for: Brand assets, complex graphics, consistent design systems

Adobe Express

Adobe's simplified design tool. More capable than Canva, less complex than full Adobe suite.

Pros: Good templates, integrates with Adobe ecosystem Cons: Some features require subscription

AI Image Tools

Midjourney, DALL-E, and similar tools generate images from text descriptions.

Pros: Unique images, no stock photo licensing Cons: Inconsistent quality, style matching challenges, potential copyright issues

Use cautiously for: Conceptual images, backgrounds, non-specific visuals

Screenshot Tools

For casino reviews, annotated screenshots are essential.

CleanShot X (Mac) or ShareX (Windows) offer annotation, blur, and highlight features.

Creating a Visual Brand

Color Palette

Choose 3-5 colors and use them consistently:

• Primary color (main brand color)
• Secondary color (accent)
• Background colors
• Text colors

Consistency builds recognition.

Typography

Select 2-3 fonts:

• Headline font (bold, attention-grabbing)
• Body font (readable, clean)
• Accent font (optional, for special uses)

Use the same fonts across all materials.

Visual Elements

Develop consistent elements:

• Logo and logo variations
• Icon style (flat, outlined, etc.)
• Photo treatment (filters, overlays)
• Border and shape styles

Templates

Create reusable templates for common graphics. This ensures consistency and speeds production.

Templates for:

• Blog featured images
• Video thumbnails
• Social posts
• Comparison tables
• Review summary boxes

Thumbnail Best Practices

Thumbnails significantly impact click-through rates.

Contrast

Use high contrast between elements. Light text on dark backgrounds or vice versa.

Test at small sizes—thumbnails must be readable at 120px.

Faces

Human faces increase clicks when relevant. Expressive faces (surprise, excitement) outperform neutral expressions.

Text

Keep text minimal. 3-5 words maximum. Large, bold fonts that read at small sizes.

Consistency

Develop a recognizable thumbnail style. Viewers should identify your content from thumbnails.

A/B Testing

YouTube allows thumbnail testing. Test different approaches to learn what works for your audience.

Casino-Specific Graphics

Game Screenshots

Capture gameplay for reviews and guides. Annotate to highlight important elements.

Tips:

• Capture at native resolution
• Remove personal information
• Highlight relevant features
• Use consistent annotation style

Comparison Tables

Visual tables comparing casinos or features:

Element	Casino A	Casino B
Bonus	$500	$1000
Wagering	30x	40x

Create these as images for social sharing and as HTML for articles.

Bonus Graphics

Visualize bonus structures:

• Deposit match percentages
• Wagering requirement flowcharts
• Bonus value calculations

Complex information becomes accessible through visualization.

Rating Displays

Visual rating systems:

• Star ratings
• Score badges
• Pro/con summaries

These create shareable, recognizable elements.

Stock Resources

Images

Free sources:

• Unsplash
• Pexels
• Pixabay

Paid sources:

• Shutterstock
• Adobe Stock
• iStock

Check licenses—some restrict commercial use.

Icons

Free:

• Heroicons
• Feather Icons
• Font Awesome (free tier)

Paid:

• Noun Project
• Flaticon

Icons create clean, professional graphics.

Fonts

Free:

• Google Fonts
• Font Squirrel

Paid:

• Adobe Fonts (with subscription)
• MyFonts

Verify commercial use licenses.

Workflow Efficiency

Batch Creation

Create multiple graphics in single sessions. Set up your workspace once, produce many. This aligns well with a content calendar strategy that plans visual needs in advance.

Template Libraries

Build a library of templates for common needs. Copy and modify rather than starting fresh.

Asset Organization

Organize files systematically:

• By type (thumbnails, social, blog)
• By casino or topic
• With consistent naming

Future you will thank present you.

Brand Guidelines Document

Document your visual standards:

• Color codes
• Font specifications
• Logo usage rules
• Template locations

This enables consistency and makes delegation possible.

Outsourcing Design

When to Outsource

• Complex infographics
• Brand identity development
• High-stakes marketing materials
• When your time is worth more elsewhere

Finding Designers

Platforms:

• 99designs for logos and branding
• Fiverr for quick, simple tasks
• Upwork for ongoing relationships
• Dribbble for finding quality designers

The same platforms work for hiring writers—consider building relationships with talent who can handle multiple content types.

Working with Designers

• Provide clear briefs
• Share brand guidelines
• Give specific feedback
• Build relationships with good designers

Budget Expectations

• Simple social graphics: $10-50
• Custom thumbnails: $20-50
• Infographics: $100-500
• Brand identity: $500-5000+

Quality varies. Test with small projects first.

Performance Tracking

Click-Through Rates

Track how visuals affect engagement:

• Search result CTR in Google Search Console
• Social engagement rates
• Video thumbnail performance

A/B Testing

Test different approaches:

• Colors
• Text placement
• Image styles
• Face vs no face

Let data guide decisions. For systematic testing approaches, see our guide on A/B testing landing pages.

Iteration

Improve based on performance. Your first graphics won't be your best—learn and refine.

Common Mistakes

Overcrowding

Too many elements confuse viewers. Embrace whitespace.

Poor Text Readability

Text must be readable at thumbnail size. Test at small dimensions.

Inconsistency

Random styles hurt brand recognition. Follow your templates.

Ignoring Mobile

Most viewing happens on phones. Design for small screens.

Copyright Issues

Using unlicensed images creates legal risk. Verify licenses for everything.

For creating graphics about affiliate programs, PureOdds has clear, simple terms (50% RevShare, no negative carryover) that translate well into comparison visuals.

Action Items

Choose your primary design tool. Canva is fine for most affiliates.

Define your brand basics. Colors, fonts, and style.

Create templates for your most common graphic needs.

Build an asset library of approved images, icons, and elements.

Track performance to understand what works.

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Design trends and tool capabilities change. This guide provides foundational principles—adapt based on current best practices and your specific results.